Current position
Alessandro Girolamo Rombolà is Associate Professor in the scientific-disciplinary sector CHEM-01/A – Analytical Chemistry at the Department of Chemistry “Giacomo Ciamician”, Alma Mater Studiorum – University of Bologna.
Education and qualifications
He obtained his PhD in Environmental Sciences: Protection and Management of Natural Resources from the University of Bologna in 2015.
In 2023, he obtained the Italian National Scientific Qualification (Abilitazione Scientifica Nazionale) for Associate Professor in the academic recruitment field 03/A1 – Analytical Chemistry.
He is also qualified to teach in Italian secondary schools for classes A-50, Natural, Chemical and Biological Sciences, and A-28, Mathematics and Science.
He received his Master’s Degree (Laurea Specialistica) in Environmental Science and Technology from the University of Bologna in 2011, with honours, and his Bachelor’s Degree (Laurea) in Environmental and Natural Sciences and Technologies from the University of Calabria in 2005, with honours.
He obtained his scientific high-school diploma from Liceo Scientifico “F.lli Vianeo”, Tropea (VV), in 1998.
Teaching activity
He teaches analytical chemistry and environmental chemistry in undergraduate and graduate degree programmes at the University of Bologna.
He is responsible for courses and teaching modules in the Degree Programme in Environmental Sciences, the Master’s Degree Programme in Water and Coastal Management, the Master’s Degree Programme in Science for the Conservation-Restoration of Cultural Heritage, and the Master’s Degree Programme in Chemistry.
His teaching activities include analytical chemistry, analytical chemistry of organic materials, chemistry of marine and coastal environments, clinical and forensic analytical chemistry, and applied environmental chemistry.
He has also carried out tutoring and laboratory teaching activities in analytical chemistry, general and inorganic chemistry, and cosmetic ingredients analysis.
Research activity
His research activity mainly focuses on environmental analytical chemistry and the chemical characterization of complex organic matrices.
His main research interests concern the development and application of analytical methods based on analytical pyrolysis, gas chromatography and mass spectrometry for the study of complex organic materials in environmental, energy-related, agri-food, historical-artistic and archaeological contexts.
His main research topics include:
- characterization of biochar, hydrochar and pyrolysis products;
- study of soil organic matter and dissolved organic matter;
- analysis of microplastics, nanoplastics and bioplastics in environmental matrices;
- investigation of the degradation of synthetic polymers, biopolymers and composite materials;
- valorisation of biomass, sewage sludge and waste materials through thermochemical processes;
- characterization of organic materials in samples of historical, artistic and archaeological interest.
Academic and professional experience
Since 2025, he has been Associate Professor at the Department of Chemistry “Giacomo Ciamician”, University of Bologna.
From 2022 to 2025, he was a Senior Fixed-Term Researcher, RTD-B, at the same Department in the scientific-disciplinary sector CHIM/01 – Analytical Chemistry.
From 2021 to 2022, he served as laboratory manager for the Department of Chemistry “Giacomo Ciamician” at the Rimini Campus, with technical responsibilities supporting teaching and research activities.
From 2015 to 2021, he carried out postdoctoral research at the University of Bologna, first at the Interdepartmental Centre for Industrial Research on Energy and Environment, CIRI EA, and subsequently at the Department of Chemistry “Giacomo Ciamician”.
In 2014, he was a visiting PhD student at the University of Nottingham, United Kingdom, Faculty of Engineering – School of Chemistry and Environmental Engineering.
Research projects
He participates in national and international research projects in the fields of analytical chemistry, sustainable valorisation of biomass and waste materials, development of innovative thermochemical processes, and material recycling.
Recent and ongoing projects include the PRIN 2022 project “DiGreen: A Digital and Chemical Approach for Green Recycling of Li-based Batteries”, the MAECI project “GREENHYDCM – Co-production of Green Hydrogen and Carbon Materials with High Electrochemical Performance through Molten-Salt Assisted Pyrolysis of Biomass”, and the MAECI project “RELY – Transformation of Recovered/Recycled Spent Lithium-ion Battery Cathodes into Porous Materials for High Power-Energy Storage”.
He has also participated in regional and national projects on biochar, bioenergy, and the valorisation of biomass and residues.
Institutional activities and public engagement
He is involved in institutional activities within degree programmes and PhD programmes at the University of Bologna.
He is a member of admission committees for the Master’s Degree Programme in Environmental Sustainability Science and Technology and of committees for the assessment of students’ background knowledge in the chemical area.
He has served on committees for admission and evaluation activities within the PhD Programme in Chemistry at the University of Bologna and on selection committees for research fellowships and grants.
As part of public engagement activities, he has contributed to outreach and laboratory teaching activities for secondary school students, including the PCTO programme “Integrated Study of the Coastal Marine Environment”, organized by the Interdepartmental Centre for Environmental Sciences, CIRSA, of the University of Bologna.
Thesis supervision
He supervises and co-supervises bachelor’s and master’s theses in the fields of environmental analytical chemistry, analytical pyrolysis, characterization of complex organic materials, bioplastics, biochar, microplastics, and materials of historical-artistic and archaeological interest.
Publications and editorial activity
He is the author or co-author of scientific publications in international peer-reviewed journals, book chapters, and contributions to national and international conferences.
He serves as a reviewer for international peer-reviewed scientific journals, including Environmental Science & Technology, ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering, International Journal of Environmental Analytical Chemistry, Journal of Environmental Quality, PeerJ, Pedosphere, and Waste and Biomass Valorization.
Membership of scientific societies
Since 2014, he has been a member of the Analytical Chemistry Division of the Italian Chemical Society, SCI.
Since 2013, he has been a member of the Italian Biochar Association, ICHAR.
Awards and recognitions
In 2012, he received the Pyro 2012 Young Scientist Award at the 19th International Symposium on Analytical and Applied Pyrolysis, Linz, Austria.
In 2014, he received a grant to attend the XXV National Congress of the Italian Chemical Society and a Marco Polo fellowship from the University of Bologna to carry out a research stay at the University of Nottingham, United Kingdom.
